Three Charged in Drug Distribution Conspiracy

U.S. Attorney’s Office
December 08, 2011

Eastern District of Pennsylvania(215) 861-8200

An indictment1 was unsealed today charging William Andrews, Joseph Fareri, and John Marshall in a drug conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired and agreed, together and with other persons known and unknown to the grand jury, to knowingly and intentionally distribute a controlled substance, that is, approximately 7,000 pills of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance. Andrews is charged in 23 counts of distribution and 23 counts of distribution within 1,000 feet of a protected area. Fareri is charged in five counts of distributing and five counts of distribution within 1,000 feet of a protected area.

According to the indictment, Andrews obtained oxycodone pills from various sources, including a licensed physician who issued prescriptions to defendant Andrews authorizing the defendant to obtain oxycodone pills from licensed pharmacies. Andrews then supplied oxycodone pills to Fareri for the purpose of selling the pills to customers, typically charging $20 for a 30 milligram pill. Andrews also sold oxycodone pills to customers. It is further alleged that when Andrews was not available to make deliveries of oxycodone pills, defendant Marshall made the deliveries to Andrews’ customers. The indictment alleges that at least 23 of those sales took place within 1,000 feet of a school.

Information Regarding the Defendants

Name

Address

Age

William Andrews

Philadelphia, PA

51

Joseph Fareri

Philadelphia, PA

51

John Marshall

Philadelphia, PA

48

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Attorney General’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Troyer and Frank Labor and Special Assistant United States Attorneys Erik Olson and Heather Castellino of the Pennsylvania State Attorney General’s Office.

If convicted, Andrews is facing a maximum statutory sentnece of 30 years in psiron for each count and a fine of up to $2 million; Marshall and Fareri are each facing a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years for each count and a fine of up to $1 million.

1An indictment or information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.